White Party 2001 Page 1 of 2

Towards the end of September, around 25 fund-raising events are held in Miami's South Beach area, eventually building up to the glamorous, much talked about, White Party; one of the worlds most famous events on the gay calendar. It's location, at the exquisite Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The spectacular surroundings of the Italian Renaissance Villa Vizcaya Mansion create a party that is totally unique. 3,000 beautiful people, all clad in white, stroll the manicured gardens, enjoy delicacies from 30 of South Beach and Miami's hottest restaurants, and dance under the stars on two different dance floors. Although Vizcaya is set with-in 30 acres of land, the party only has a licensed to hold 3000 people; so it can be difficult to get tickets. The tickets are priced at almost $200 (£140) a time; I suppose it is this that also ad's to the uniqueness, glamour and hype to the party.

After the very first White Party back in 1985 there was talk about changing the second year to a theme of red or black, but everyone loved the effect of white so the original theme remained. The beneficiary for the White Party, known as Care Resource, is one the largest HIV/AIDS service organisations in America. This year's Seventeenth Annual White Party, the "Crown Jewel" of HIV/AIDS fundraising events world-wide, not only grossed over $1million in revenue but was also one of the most memorable and all-inclusive events of its kind ever.

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